Air-rifle.



f5; H; smug. A Am mm1.' Agrmouxox ,gihnn we; 25.1909.

. Patented May 27, 191.3.

6 SHEETS-SHEET l.

3. H. SEARLB.

AIB RIFLE. PPLIqATroN rrLnD AUG. z5, l1909.

Patented May 27, 191.3.

5 suns-sum 2.

B.H. SEABLB. v I AIB RIFLE.' Ar/zmioy msn ma. as, 1m.

1,063,072 l Patented 1Ia.y27,.1913` 5 IIBETHEEBT 3.

E. H. SEARLE. AIR RIFLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1909.

1,063,072.. A Patented May 27', 1913.

E. H. SEARLE. A1B RIFLE. APPLIUATION`IILED AUG. 25, 1909.

1,063,072.y .Patented May 27,

5 SHEETS-SEEN'.

FTB-E5;

FEES? actuated piston.

U'NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELBERT HAMILTON sEARL, or SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

'AIR-RIFLE.

To all/whom t may concern Be it known that I, ELBERT H. SEARLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county .of Hampden and State of haiassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air- Rifles, ot' which thefoll'owing is a specification.

My present invention relates to ot' that -type in which a projectile is propelled by air pressure developed by a Spring Guns of this type are gen.- erally manufactured for sale as toys and it is .essential vthat .the construction be both cheap and durable.

" The object of my invention is to improve the construction of the several parts of the gunof this general type along the lilies of simplicity and. cheapiiess, without sacriiicing durability or effectiveness.

My `invention will be fully understood upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which,--

Figure 1 is a side view-of a gun in which several pieces of, my invention may be embodied. Fig. 2 a verticalA axial section of thel same, on an enlarged scale, with the front and rear entre omitted; the parts being shown in the positions which they occupy immediately after firing. Fig. 3 is aview similar to Figi. 2 with'the partsin the positions which they assume in the act ofA cooking the gun or putting its spring iindei pressure. Figs. 4, and 6 are vertical transverse sec tions taken respectively on the lines Lima, 5-5 and (5&6 ot Fig. 2. Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical axial sections of the forward end of the gun showing the magazine closure and the means tor transferring individual projectiles fi'oiiithe magazine to the true barrel; also the means which permit the magazine closure to open when the magazine is to be charged. Figs. S.) and 10 are vertical transverse sections taken respectively on the lines 9--9 and 10-10 of Fig. 7. Fig. 11 is a detail plaiirview of the guiding iiange of the` magazine closure. Fig. 12 is a detail view,

on an enlarged scale,A Showing the forward portion of the gun iii'elevatioii. Fig. 13 is a vertical axial section of the action case.

Fig. 14 is a section on the line 14---14 oi Fig.y

13. .Figs 15, 16,17 and 1S`aie detail views of the frame extension respectively showing said part in side ehn/ation, in vertical section, in top view, and in bottoni view.

19, 20, .2l and Specication ofdetters Patent.

air riiiesy `wardly presentedr abutment 2, and lapped attachingl portions 2a and 29,' per- Fgs. Ware detail views of the Patented May 27, 1913.

Application tiled August 25, 1909. Serial No. 514,641.

f ra'ine respectively, .showing said part in side elevation, in vertical section, in front end elevation, and in top plan. Figs'. 23 and 24 are a side elevation and top'plan vieW respectively of the cooking rod. Fig, 25 isa sectional view taken along the line'25-25 of.

Fig. 24. Figs. 26 and 27 are a side elevation and top yplan view respectively of the colinecting link for the cooking rod, and; Fig. 28 is a detailed perspective vievof the trigger.

1 represents the stock of the gun, 2 the frame, 3 the frame extension, t the action case, 5 the false barrel, and 6 lthe trigger guard.

As' will be seen upon reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the stock 1 is suitably recessed to receive the frame 2, and as shown in'Figs.

l to 3 and 19 to 22, the frame consists of a Sheet metal member struck up to provide side plates 2a, tcp connecting web 2", a foroverforated to receive the attaching screws 1a verging lips 3 providing a Sear 3d, thelatching web 8e, the inclined connecting web 3f, and the bottomclosing flanges 3E and 3h. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the frame extension 3 `is Secured to the action Icase 4, through means of the pintle 7al of the trigger 7 and the transverse screw 8, and. said :frame extension is connected through breakdown or hinge connection with the frame 2, through the medium of the trigger guard 6 which has a vertical portion 6*rt projecting through the cylindrical part of the action case 4 in positionto provide a rear Sight 9. and passing thence around the screw 8, and thence rearward and terminating in an eye (Sb that receives the transverse pin 6. The eye portion (5 of the trigger guard is provided with a restricted opening 6dl within which lits the rear edge of the flange 3". This connection prevents relative movementbetw-een the trigger guard and the frame extension.` The pin GC passes through the frame and is held in posit-ion therein hy the sides 'ot the stock inortise 1". extensie-ii` abuis at. its forward end with a Shoulder 'Ali-1L provided iii the action case, such The trame and 1b which enter the stock and secure the labutment being effected through the medium of the connecting web 3f of the frame extension.

r1`he action case 4t is constructed with a. re-

;,duaed fonivard end 1lb and with the o'set or shoulder 4 against which the false barrel 5,

which is fitted over the extension ab, abuts. l Withiit the" action case 4, is a cylinder 10 -on either side of the. abutment 6a and engages by its transverse portion 14a, the Sear 3d. A link 15, connected with the cooking rod 14 and with a transverse pin 16' in the frame, draws the rod and through it the piston rearward during the breaking action ,of the gun, and thereby compresses the gun members are straightened.

spring and cocks the rod,` after which the When this takes place the latchincr lip 3c engages over a tongue 1d and holds the parts in firing position. in tiring the`gun, the trigger displaces the rod 1% from the scar 3d.

The true barrel 11v is constructed at its rear end with a rearwardly disposed knife edge gripping rib 11a so designed that when a shot gravitates to the rear end of the bar` rel, it will be firmly gripped and will not run forward should the barrel be thereafter depressed below the horizontal position.

17 represents a drive pin carried by the piston and adapt-ed to impart initial move` ment to the projectile as described in my aforesaid application Serial No. 386,847; said pin 17 being preferably constructed and arranged as to details, as described in my copending application tiled of even date herewith.

The space between the true barrel 11 and the false barrel 5 is adapted to serve as a storage space or magazine for projectiles. To transfer projectiles from this space to the bore of the truc barrel, individually and at. will, l ha ve constructed the front sight 1S as a. transfer device, for which purpose` it is pivotally mounted upon a transverse lug 18a that is fixed upon Va diamctrical barrel support 11b. Said sightl member 18 is formed with a pocket 18b adapted to receive a single projectile and to be depressed through a slot 11c in the true barrel, so to transfer the projectile'whieh enters its recess 18" through the feed opening 11l into the bore of the barrel. The muzzle of the gun is depressed during this action and in order to prevent escape of the projectile forward, the lower end 18C dips into the barrel until the projectile passes rearward. At th same time the upper end 18d of the sight dips into t'hemagazine to prevent another projectile en ering the feed opening 11d. The combined sight and feed device 18 is held normflily in the position shown by means of a spring 19 which grips the true barrel and engages a lug 18e on the transfer device.

To close the end of the magazine or storage space a cap 2O abutting the end of the false barrel and centrally bored to receive the end of the true barrel, is so connected with an internal guide flange 20a as to be movable axially to and from the end of the barrel. This axial movement is limited by the transverse barrel support 11b which ex tends through a slot 2()b in the guide flan e 20a. This slot has an offset 20c in positioy to engagg the transverse member 1lb when the cap is in position to close the end of the magazine, and the parts are held inl such position of engagement by means of a spring tongue 11e which normally presses against one wall of the slot 2Ob in a direction to press the flange 20a laterally. When it i' desired to draw the cap outward it is re tated in opposition to the pressure of the tongue 11e, until its o ifset 20c is disengaged from the part- 11b and the latter is in the plane of the elongation 20d yof the slot 20b Which then permits axial movement of the cap a distance measured by the length of such elongation of the slot. The inner end of the flange 2Oa is deflected as shown at 20e so as to guide the projectiles to that side of the magazine where the transfer'ldevice is located.

Having thus described my invention the following I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a gun, the combination of an action case, a barrel, and an air cylinder the action case being constructed from a blank of sheet metal bent into a substantially tubular form with a reduced forward end, providing a shoulder; the barrel embracing said reduced end; and the aiu1 cylinder being fitted within the action case and in abutment with and sustained by 'the shoulder provided by the reduced portion.

2. In a gun, the combination of an action case constructed of a blank of sheet metal bent into substantially tubular form and with downwardly projecting flanges, a member interposed between and spacing said flanges apart, a spring located in the action case, and a spring abutment extending through the interposed spacing member `and through the actioncase. y l

3. In a gun, the combination of an action case, constructed of a blank vof sheet metal bent into substantially tubular form and with downwardlyprojecting parallel anges spaced apart, a spring located in the action cas, and a part extending between parallel flanges and across the interior of the action case :to provide a spring abutment; said part extending through the casing and providing a sight member and extendingrear'- wardly from said flanges to provide a trigger guard and connected at its rear end with the frame of the gun.

,4. In a spring actuated breakdown gun, the combination of a forward portion and a rear portion separating by a breakdown action, and a single member constituting an abutment for the spring, a sight, and a trigger guard, said member having a fixed connection with one of the gun parts and having hinged action with theotlier of said parts in order to permit the breakdown action.

` 5. In a\ gun comprising a sheet metal frame haying forwardly extending side -walls and a frame extension having side walls and connected with the frame through means which permits breakdown action brtweentliem; a locking means for yieldingljyr resisting the breakdown ation comprising a forwardly extending tongue located at an intermediate point between the side walls of the frame and a transverse connection between the side walls of the frame extension providing a shoulder for the engagement of said tongue.

6. In a gun, the combination of the tubular member constructed with a downwardly presented opening, anda frame member fitted in said opening and secured to the tubular member; the frame member having a transverse web between its side walls within the tubular member and said web portion providing a Sear and a means for guiding the se-tr engaging member thereto.

7 Ina gun, the combination of the action case coiit'aining actuating mechanism, and the fraine member secured 'to said action oase; said frame member being constructed of sheetimetal bent to provide side walls and shoulders, one of said shoulders providing a sear for cooking the actuating mechanism, and the other of said shoulders extending upwardly in the rear of the sear and into the path of the `actuating means, to limit the rearward movement of the latter.

8. In a gun, the combination of the action case, the frame extension member constructed of sheet metal and having a horizontal and side portions, the horizontal portion being cutaway and having an edge providing'l a sear for gun oockingmechanism, andanother part of tlieweb'portion being folded and disposed upwardly in the rear of tlie'sear and providing a stop for the cooking mechanism.

9. In a gun; the combination of the gun case containing actuating mechanism and meansfor cooking the same, arf"- tl'io frame member constructed with side walls, with a uniting 'web provided at its rear end with a sear for the cooking member and with upward extensions bent inward to provide a stop for said cooking member.

10. In a breakdown gun, the combination with the action case, the frame member secured to the action case, the frame pivotally secured to the' member, the actuating mechanism in the action case, the cooking means for said actuating mechanism, a connection between the frame and .said means whereby cooking takes place in the breaking down of the gun, and an upwardly disposed and folded portion on the fiaine extension, lo-

cated in the patl'i of the cooking means to limit the movement of the latter and through it the breakdown movement of the gun.

11. In a gun, the combination of a frame constructed of sheet metal bent to provide a mounting for the forward portion of 'the gun with a reduced rear extension and inturned, overlapping tongues on the wallsof said reduced extension, astook having a slotted forward end receiving the reduced portion of the frame and screws passing through thevoverlapped tongues and into the stock to secure the frame in position.

v12. In a gun, the combination of the frame constructed of sheet metal shaped to provide a suitable mounting for the forward portion of the gun and with a reduced rear extension, a frame extension within the frame and having a web portion providing a bottom closure for the latter, the gun stock having a slotted forward end receiving said reduced rear extension and a trigger guard supported upon the said web portion and extending between and secured 4to the side walls of said reduced rear ex-` tension at a point between the walls of the 'slotted portion of the stock.

13.1 In a gun, the combination of the frame extension, the frame, and the trigger guard supported upon the frame extension and proje ting therefrom, and having pivotal coniiec ion with the frame; said franie extension and trigger guard being inter-locked adjacent the rear end of the trigger guard to prevent relative movement between them.

14.111 a gun, the combination of the frame extension, the frame and the trigger guard projecting from the frame extension and pivotally connected with 'the f 'ame through tlie medium of an eye' formed on the trigger guard and a pin engaging said eye; said eye having an opening, and the frame extension having a transverse web `entering said opening to engage the frame extension with theltrigger guard and prevent relative movcment between them.

15. In a breakdown gun, the combination of the front and rear portions having a connection which permits breakdown connection between them, a coeking member carried by the front portion and having connection with the rear portion through which it is drawn rearward to cooking position by the act of4 breaking down the gun; said forward port-ion havingl a transverse web, which affords a guiding surface for the cooking member and provides a sear for said member; and the connection betweeny the cooking member and the rear member being positioned to draw the cooking member down upon the guiding web during the act of cooking and cause it to drop into position behind the Sear when reaching the same. l

16. A gun comprising front and rear portions connected together by means which permits breakdown action between them; said front member carrying a cooking meme ber and being provided with an inserted member having a t ansverse web which afn fords a guiding surface for the cooking member and provides a Sear atits rear end; and a connection between the cooking member and the rear member of the gun by which the cooking member is dra-Wn rearward in the act ot' breaking down the gun; said connection being positioned with respect to the parts which it connects, so as to draw the cooking member downward upon the guiding web and drop it behind the Sear when the latter is reached.

17. In a gun having a slotted barrel and a magazine, a magazine closure, and amanu ally operated shot conveyer mounted within f the magazine and working in the slot of' the barrel and movable from a position communicating with the magazine to a position communicating with the bore of the 18. In a gun having a slotted barrel and a magazine, a. magazine closure, and a sight member mounted within the magazine and working in said slot, said sight member constructed with a shot receptacle, and movable from a position communicating with the magazine to a position communicating with the bore of the gun.

19. In a gun having a slotted barrel anda magazine, a magazine closure, a sight member Working in said slot and constructed with a shot receptacle, and movable from a position communicating with the magazine to a position communicating with the bore of the gun, and means normally retaining the sight memberin the Ysition first named.

20. In a gun having a suitable bore, a magazine having a port located to pass a shot from the magazine directly to the bore, a conveying member having a Shot receptacle, manually movable from a position communicating with the magazine to a p0- sitioh communicating with the bore and forcing a shot through said port in said movement; said forwarding means being pivotally mounted upon the magazine, and

a spring mounted upon the gun barrel and engaging the, conveying member for returning said conveying member to its posit-ion of communication with the magazine.

-ELBERT HAMILTON SEARLE. IIn presence of- LAURA E. MoNK, HARRY A. KNIGHT. 

